NFL rules allow teams to contact assistants currently involved in the playoffs through this weekend and then not again until their team's season ends or, if they are in the Super Bowl, the week after the conference championships.

Rivera went through several playoff runs with the Bears while also being interviewed for other vacancies. He interviewed for nine head coaching jobs in the past, including with the Chargers in 2007.

Last year, after his first season as Chargers inside linebackers coach, he was not contacted by any teams about any position. Rivera's contract expires at season's end, and the Chargers are planning on trying to keep him.

Kaeding still kicking

As it turns out, Nate Kaeding didn't injure his groin when he slipped on his first kickoff Saturday night. He suffered the injury earlier in the week while kicking during practice.

“It's just frustrating for me,” Kaeding said. “I'm a kicker. There's no reason I should be hurt.”

Kaeding said the injury didn't affect his length Saturday and will not Sunday in Pittsburgh.